Selena Gomez is responding to the backlash that her hit Netflix show, ’13 Reasons Why’ has been getting from critics lately. Many viewers are slamming Selena Gomez and the controversial drama for glorifying teen suicide. Selena Gomez is one of the producers of the show.
’13 Reasons Why’ revolves around a high school student who kills herself after being bullied and betrayed by her peers at school. The show tells the story of Hannah Baker (played by actress Katherine Langford), who leaves a series of tapes blaming specific people for her suicide. Many critics say that the show’s content, including Hannah’s graphic suicide in the final episode, glamorizes teen suicide.
But Selena Gomez doesn’t see it this way. The 24-year-old chart topper opened up about the series, adding that she was very surprised by the success and attention that it’s so far received. The show also features alcoholism, drug abuse, body shaming and assault.
According to E! News, Selena said, “I just wanted it to come across in a way that kids would be frightened, but confused — in a way that they would talk about it because it’s something that’s happening all the time. So, I’m overwhelmed that’s it’s doing as well as it’s doing.”
While ’13 Reasons Why’ has been widely praised for tackling such a tough subject as teen suicide, many school districts in both the United States and Canada are warning parents about the show’s content and even banning the series. One school in Connecticut claimed that the show depicts suicide as a romanticized option for teens and also noted that there’s no mention of mental health or treatment options for teens.
If that weren’t enough, one school in Alberta, Canada sent a letter to parents warning them about ’13 Reasons Why’ and even banned students from even talking about the series at school. In their letter to parents, school administrators called discussion about the series ‘troubling’ and ‘disturbing.’
Netflix, meanwhile, has defended the series by noting that the creators sought advice from medical professionals before filming. Still, a lot of critics and parents are worried that the show might trigger too many emotional feelings, especially for vulnerable viewers. Selena also hinted that there might be a second season of ’13 Reasons Why’ in the works. So far Netflix has not made any comments.
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